A pluralistic mixed-methods research design for complex socio-ecological systems in Western Ethiopia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20372/star.V15.i3.11Keywords:
Pluralistic MMR, context-sensitive methods, global environmental changes, research philosophy, Western EthiopiaAbstract
This study explores the potential and process of grounding the MMR (Mixed Methods Research) design in a pluralistic philosophical framework for complex socio-ecological analyses based on the empirical study conducted on global environmental change (GEC) processes and impacts in western Ethiopia. The conceptual-interrogatory framework was used to analyze the artifacts of the doctoral dissertation archived in 2018-2021. The convergence of mixed methods and the philosophical framework of the study was operationalized to mutually strengthen relationships in proposing the pluralistic MMR of this study. The pluralistic MMR design demonstrated three iterative stages of the integration process. The first-stage pluralistic MMR design shows the process of ontological synergy to capture and integrate multiple environmental changes. Second, validation and integration of various environmental change knowledge systems, where epistemological complementarities become essential. The third stage, pluralistic MMR, represents the integration of research approaches and methods that were substantially shaped by the two prior integration stages. The study underscores that grounding a study in pluralistic philosophy is not an abstract exercise, but an operational logic to enhance the application of MMR design. It shows proven potential for future studies in complex socio-ecological systems and other multidisciplinary MMR aimed at informing policy and development planning.
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